For as long as I can recall, I’ve loved dogs and have been drawn to them. Everywhere I went I would find meaningful connections with dogs in my life; I have no clue why that might be, only that it is true to my experience.

And I love the idea that in his infinite humor, God decided to embody on earth as selflessness and devotion, and conceal it by reversing the letters … Dog.

Yet I have found meaningful connections with other animals as well, some that even rival my love of dogs. None more so than with goats.

When I first came nose to nose with a goat in a petting zoo, I was smitten. I knew the goat wanted the feed pellets I had in my hand, but those eyes simply floored me. I plopped down on my ass right in the middle of the pen and was soon surrounded by curious creatures, seemingly wondering what I was doing. Then when a small goat pressed closely to my shoulder and would not budge, I just leaned into the experience, and became a fan of goats for ever more.

Setting aside the practical aspects, I looked to what spiritualists might say. As a totem, Goats can mean adventure, persistence, and abundance. All of which are invigorating ideas for me, and in fact define much of my life’s journey.

Then of course there is goat cheese! Because we would not want to leave cheese out of the equation. A good, creamy chevre is magical.

Over the years I sought out petting zoos, goat dairies, and sanctuaries. Once a year or so I find my way to Carl Sandburg’s home in North Carolina to hang out with the goats. And in my first-time visit to Hawai’i this year, my son-in-law found a wonderful goat dairy and organic farm in Kaua’i, a veritable sanctuary where all of the goats had names (and knew them) and we got to sample all of the cheese we could eat.